Bolton Vote Delayed

An objection from an unexpected quarter -- Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) -- stymied Senate Foreign Relations Committee action on John Bolton's nomination as the US ambassador to the United Nations. Committee Chair Richard Lugar (R-IN) postponed the vote because Voinovich's change of heart left the committee tied, 9-9. Senate Chuck Hagel (R-NE) said that

I think the charges are serious enough that they demand, or cry out, for further examination.

The White House stands behind its nominee. Secretary of State Rice said:

The president deserves to have the person at the U.N. that he thinks best to carry out this job.

Charges include attempts to fire or discredit employees who disagreed with him as well as harrassment of a contractor when Bolton was in private practice. What do you think?

See Countdown to Bolton Vote as well as CNN, International Herald Tribune,